Don't Hate Me Because I'm Beautiful

When it came time to write the acknowledgement section of my novel, Just a Kiss, I thanked Luciana Parmigiana, my dog.  I know what you're thinking.  Yes, I realize that Lucy can't read (not that I know of). I understand that she is "just a dog." But here's where it gets a little complicated.

I'm not sure I would've written the book without her by my side.  

Just a Kiss is the first "official" book I've written.  It took far longer, (I cut 30,000 words from the first draft), and required more discipline than I expected to complete the novel. 

Being alone, in front of a computer for months can get tedious and that's where Lucy saved the day. 
  

 
She stayed by my side, at all times and soon, Just a Kiss, became "our" project.  I'd read sections of the story to her daily. She seemed to bask in the words.

What would I have done without Lucy, my "surprise" baby and my first "small" dog?  Would I have shelved the story before finishing? 
Would I have given into all those tempting invitations and gone back to my "other" life, the one that doesn't require parking my butt at a desk all day?

I'm not complaining about any of the work, I'm just giving credit where it's due.

So, thank you, Lucy love.  I couldn't have done it without you.

Until next time,
0x-Kate 

To learn more about my wine country life, visit
 www.katekisset.com. 
Follow me on Twitter @therealwinewife 

Buy Just a Kiss on Amazon.

Top Five "Real" Wine Country Secrets in Napa Valley and Sonoma from the romance novel, Just a Kiss

#5: Free public art.  Just pull over (carefully) and stop the car. How many times did I drive past this huge sculpture in Napa and not stop for a picture?

Except for what happens in private homes, behind closed doors, between people who would never, ever, invite me to a party again, if I told you what really goes down, there are no "real" secrets in Wine Country.

Most of what I used in Just a Kiss and the novel I'm working on now, Napa Crush, came from paying close attention to my surroundings.

I'll bet there are a few wonderful areas in your hometown that you take for granted and don't visit often enough.  Heck, there are probably a few people who would like to see more of you.

So, with that teeny disclaimer out of the way, let me share some hidden gems that are not really secrets at all...

#4 Ravenswood Vineyard Hike

This adorable, little plaque is partially hidden under ivy around the entrance of Ravenswood Vineyards in Sonoma Valley.  There is a pretty hike next to the winery. Park in the lot marked for Ravenswood visitors and continue foot on the same paved road. There's lots of shade, but also direct sun for much of the route. 

Hike with a companion, wear a hat and go when the temperature is cool. Early morning or later in the day is your best bet. (If you venture off of the paved road and onto the surrounding vineyard paths, do so with a guide. The trails can be confusing.)

It's an easy stroll along the primarily flat terrain.  When you get tired, turn around and head back to your car, but stop in the winery first for a celebratory glass of wine.

#3: Find a firepit for night sipping. Temperatures can drop at night.

 
In my Single Girls Wine Club series, the women get together for regular “Chill Hours.” In the summer, they meet around the villa’s pool to drink wine and talk about their day.

In the winter, they gather around a fire pit that looks a lot like this.

Temperatures in Napa Valley and Sonoma can vary wildly from day to evening.  Pack a sweater or a jacket.  Seek out a restaurant with a fire pit a night time.

If you're a big planner, schedule your trip around a full moon! (Hey, Jack London didn't call Sonoma, "The Valley of the Moon," for nothing...)  Unrelated: My friend Cindy has the prettiest feet and the best shoes…

#2: Free music at the wineries and more art! Is it a coincidence that one of my characters is a San Francisco disc jockey?  No, I think not...:-)

Although this is a photo of the Markham Vineyards gallery, it's a reminder to check the music calendar around wine country before you head out for the day.

There are exceptional concerts in the vineyards throughout the summer months, but there are also small bands playing at many wineries on the weekends for free. If you're going wine tasting, why not pick a place where they have a band so you can sip in time.

(Shameless Plug: I used to be a disc jockey on the radio in San Francisco. Juliet St. John one of the Single Girls Wine Club characters is a San Francisco disc jockey. Juliet will star in book #3 of the series.)

#1 Sonoma Plaza. Downtown Sonoma. Check out the Tuesday night farmers market

In Just a Kiss, the main character Sarah Dupont moves from San Francisco to Sonoma Valley.  She opens a cafe on the Sonoma Plaza and trains actor Jamie Santino how to bake for an upcoming movie role.  This is where the "fun" begins in the story.  

In "real" life, there is usually something happening on The Plaza. In the summer, Tuesday night farmers markets often feature a band.  You'll find restaurants and shops across the street, surrounding the plaza, and a "Wine Alley" featuring tastes from a variety of local wineries conveniently located in one place.

To learn more about me, visit my website here.

To buy my Wine Country Romance novel Just a Kiss, go to Amazon here.

If you're planning a visit to Sonoma Valley, check out The Sonoma Visitors Bureau calendar here.

Until next time,

0x-Kate  

 

Sonoma Valley- Napa Valley Wine Country: Real Locations used in Just a Kiss novel

"I’ll take you there... Let me take you there…”

I had so much fun writing Just a Kiss.  It was the perfect excuse to tell a hot and sweet love story and set the tale in my home town. Grounded in romance and vino, my characters live and work in Napa - Sonoma wine country, an hour north of San Francisco. 

The Single Girls Wine Club series centers around three roommates who live in an historic estate in Sonoma Valley called “Bella Villa.” In future books, each woman, will be treated to a toe-curling love affair she never saw coming. 

There's a reason I'm known as "The Real Wine Wife" on Twitter! Many of the book’s venues are “real” wine country locations. I also use actual events and pour genuine wine whenever possible throughout my Single Girls Wine Club series.

So, without further ado, let's dive into a few story scenes from the debut book of the series, Just a Kiss.

Pour a glass of your favorite vino and let me show you around wine country…

*All of the photos are my own.

In Just a Kiss, Lulu Castelli is the landlord of “Bella Villa” but she's more like a friend to the three women who live there. The actual building is an exact replica of the family home “Count,”Agoston Haraszthy built for his family in the 1800s. It's now on the Bartholomew Winery property in Sonoma.

This is Sarah Dupont’s view in  Just a Kiss. In real life, the original owner of this estate founded Buena Vista Winery.   I remember the day I took this photo. I kept thinking, what if someone still lived here? What if she had roommates? What if she met the love of her life?

In Just a Kiss, Lulu Castelli is the great granddaughter of a famous winemaker very similar to Agoston Haraszthy.  Mr. Haraszthy, the self-proclaimed “Count of Buena Vista,” created California’s first premium winery in Sonoma Valley in 1857.

Just a Kiss is the first of three stories planned in The Single Girls Wine Club series. The novel centers on the love story of Sarah Dupont and Jamie Santino. 

The story begins when Sarah Dupont takes the advice of her best friend and moves to Sonoma Valley. She opens a café in the heart of town, on the Sonoma Plaza.

 

There really is a bakery-café on The Plaza.  I didn’t use the actual name because Sarah and Jamie do the kinds of things there that get “real” people fired. :) Sarah’s shop is called The Vine Café.

Do you notice the green awning in the photo above? Sebastiani Theatre is a California landmark and plays an integral role in the story because Jamie Santino is an actor.  Sarah meets him when one of her roommates convinces her to give Jamie baking lessons for an upcoming movie role.  

A much older crowd than Jamie Santino pulls in!  I snapped this from the café next to the theatre. I think they were showing a documentary about eggs.

 

All six of the gorgeous Santino brothers appear throughout The Single Girls Wine Club stories. In Just a Kiss, although Jamie Santino is the "star" of the story, you'll meet all of his brothers. Their family owns Napa Valley's Santino Family Winery.  So of course, I had to do some "research." 

Here I am hard at work at B.R. Cohn Winery...

Now, back to the tour…

The annual lighting of the Sonoma Plaza Christmas tree is mentioned in the book's first scene. My family attends this magical event every year.

Collage of various photos of Sonoma and Napa events. Top left is the annual lighting of the Sonoma Plaza’s Christmas tree. I'm standing in front of the plaza, facing the crowd.

 

Vineyard Colors: There's a moment in Just a Kiss when Sarah Dupont looks out her window and contemplates the future. This is what she sees.

I hope you enjoyed the mini-tour!  If you'd like to see more of wine country and Just a Kiss story scenes, check out my photo gallery on www.KateKisset.com here. 

             Buy Just a Kiss on Amazon.

About Kate Kisset: 

Former San Francisco radio disc jockey Kate Kisset has a passion for telling great stories.

After playing thousands of Pop, Country, Rock and Oldies tunes, for her primarily female fan base, she changed her tune and became an author. 

Just a Kiss is the first book in her wine country romance series, The Single Girls Wine Club.

She lives in Northern California and Santa Barbara with her family and rescue pup “editor” Luciana Parmigiana, where she hikes, reads, listens to music, and drinks wine.